Appliance with pivotable backguard or the like



W. F. HOPPE May 23, 1967 APPLIANCE WITH PIVOTABLE BACKGUARD OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 23, 1965 3 heets-Sheet 1 W. F- HOPPE May 23, 1967 3,320,944 APPLIANCE WITH PIVOTABLE BAdKGUARD OR THE LIKE 5 h ets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1965 May 23, 1967 w. F. HOPPE 3,320,944

APPLIANCE WITH PIVOTABLE BACKGUARD OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 23, 19 65 3 heets-Sheet 3 FORWARD SERVICE POSITION REVERSE SHIPPING POSITION United States Patent 3,320,944 APPLIANCE WITH PIVOTABLE BACKGUARD OR THE LIKE Walter F. Hoppe, Etfingham, 111., assignor to Borg- Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 489,650 Claims. (Cl. 126-214) This invention relates to home appliances and more particularly to an improved backguard support structure for such appliances.

One purpose of providing backguards on home appliances is to house controls, lights and the like. For servicing these structures inside the backguards, it is often necessary to gain access from the rear. Another purpose for the backguards on home appliances is for decoration. To this end the backguard is often constructed with a thin profile and projects relatively high above the main top surface of the appliance. As a result, the crated or boxed appliance occupies additional space during handling or shipping. Furthermore, because the backguard support structure is ordinarily not capable of withstanding excessive blows or other forces encountered in shipping along certain planes, for example acting against the front of the backguard, special support means are required to prevent damage to the appliance and backguard.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved support means for appliance backguards and the like which permits selective orientation of the background in a set of different positions convenient for normal use, servicing, and shipping.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved support structure of the above type which is easily disassembled while assuring rigid support of the backguard for normal use.

It is a more detailed object of the present invention, in accordance with the above, to provide a support structure which permits the backguard to be pivoted to the various selectable positions while at all times maintaining the background and appliance intact so that one person can easily handle positioning of the backguard.

It is an over-all object of the present invention to provide a support structure or assembly which is economical to manufacture, easy to use, and which can be adapted to standard home appliances.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a top portion of a range having a backguard and embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial section along 22 of FIGURE 1 showing a backguard support assembly;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the backguard support of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective showing the backguard pivoted forward;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective showing the backguard pivoted rearwardly; and

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation showing the backguard in solid in the forwardly pivoted and in phantom in each of normal position and rearwardly suspended position.

Turning to FIGURE 1, there shown is a range 10 embodying the present invention, the latter includes: a cabinet 11 having a top surface 12, a lateral side or wall 13,

a rear side or wall 14, and a background 15 positioned generally along the corner formed by the intersecting top surface 11 and a rear side or wall 12. The top of the cabinet is provided with burners, two of which (16, 18) are shown. The top is intsalled as a part of the cabinet so as to be removable simply by lifting. The backguard 15 has a rear dust cover 17 which is selectively removable to gain access to a convenience light 19 and a set of controls 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the range utilizes gas as a source of energy, and thus the electrical controls housed by the backguard ar not as numerous as in the instance of an electric range. However, the illustrated backguard could be mounted on an electric range or on other appliances such as dryers, automatic washers, and the like. Indeed, the structure could be located to one side rather than at the rear of an appliance cabinet.

In accordance with the present invention, the backguard 15 is supported on an appliance framework, herein illustrated as the cabinet 11, by a support assembly 21 which permits locating of the backguard in any of three positions convenient for (1) normal use, (2) servicing of structure housed by the backguard and (3)handling of the appliance with the top surface streamlined (see FIG- URE 6). In the present embodiment an assembly 21 supports the backguard, there being two individual supports provided at opposite sides or ends of the backguard 15, however, because the structures correspond, only the support at one end, the right end as viewed in FIGURE 1, is herein described. There shown are a pair of brackets 22, 24, one carried by the backguard and the other by the cabinet, each having a generally L-shaped configuration for convenience in fitting the corner formed by the intersection of the top and rear surfaces of the cabinet, respectively.

Describing the backguard 15 and specifically the supporting framework, a panel 25 extends longitudinally across the front of the backguard and is provided with a base portion 26 adapted to rest on a rear frame part 27 of the cabinet top 12. Another portion of the backguard framework, a longitudinally extending angle member 28, is attached to a third inner backguard framework member 29, in the present instance by spot welding, at points 30, 31. The bracket 22 is carried by the backguard, and specifically by framework member 29. To this end, the L-shaped bracket includes a leg 32 and an integral body portion 34. Provided on the leg 32 is a pair of transverse flanges 35, 3 6 which are fastened to the framework member 29, in the present instance by spot welding, at points 37, 38. Thus, the bracket 22 is rigidly anchored to the framework of the backguard 15 forming one integral structure therewith so that anchoring of the bracket effects support of the backguard.

For mounting the backguard in a normal upright position on the cabinet (see FIGURE 1), a pair of selectively operable fastening means are provided, one connected to the backguard frame piece 28 and the other to the bracket 22. In the present instance, the fastening means takes the form of a pair of thumb screws 40*, 41 having respective threaded portions 40a, 41a threaded into respective receiving clips 42, 44. The clip 42 is carried by the backguard angle piece 28, and the clip 44 is carried by the bracket 22. For permitting the threaded portions of the respective thumb screws to pass through the backguard angle piece 28 and the bracket 22, an opening 45 is provided in the background angle piece 28, and an opening 46 is provided in a transverse wall 47 which is an integral extension of the bracket body portion 34 (see FIG- URE 4). Thus, when the respective thumb screws 40, 41 are tightened, the bracket 22 cooperates to lend solid support to the backguard even though the latter may extend substantially above the top of the cabinet and be subjected to pivoting forces acting against either the front or rear of the backguard. The thumb screws are hidden from view within the cabinet walls while being easily accessible either through the burner openings in the top, or by removal of the cabinet top 12.

To permit pivotal and sliding movement of the backguard relative to the cabinet, either forward or rearward, while at all times maintaining the backguard joined to the appliance, the second bracket 24 is anchored to the main appliance structure, in the present instance to the cabinet, and joined with the backguard-carried bracket 22 by a pin and slot coupling. Describing the structure, the bracket 24 is anchored, in the present instance, to the cabinet top rear frame portion 27, to an adjacent portion of the cabinet rear side 14. A pair of stove bolts 54, 55 are provided for this purpose, one received in an opening 54a formed in a bracket flange 61 adapted to fit against the cabinet top and the other in an opening 55a formed in a bracket flange 62 adapted to fit against the cabinet rear. A pin 56 carried by the backguard bracket 22 is received in a generally L-sha-ped slot 58 formed in a body portion 59 of the anchored bracket. For holding pin 56 captive in the slot 58 an oversized head portion 64 is provided thereon. Accordingly, even while the backguard is pivoted and slid relative to the appliance cabinet, the respective structures are held intact.

As is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, means are provided for connecting the structure, such as the light 19 and controls within the backguard to the main part of the appliance. Herein illustrated are electrical wires 64 which extend through a generally rectangular opening 65 in the rear frame portion 27 of the appliance top.

Explaining the relative positioning of the backguard to the appliance cabinet, in the normal backguard position the pin 56 rests at the bottom of a vertical portion 68 (as viewed in FIGURE 2) of the slot 58. The vertical portion of the slot 68 is set out a predetermined distance a from the rear 14 of the appliance. The reason, as explained subsequently, is to permit the backguard to assume a suspended position to facilitate shipping the appliance. The vertical portion 68 of the slot extends upwardly a distance b above the top 12 of the cabinet so as to provide suffi-cient space for a lower corner 69 of the backguard to swing by the cabinet top. Accordingly, when it is desired, for example, to swing the backguard forward in which position the dust cover 17 can be removed and access gained to the structure within the backguard for servicing, first the top 12 is slid off the cabinet permitting the thumb screws 40, 41 to be reached. These are removed, thereby releasing the backguard. Next, the backguard is lifted so that the pin 56 moves along slot 68 for a distance b whereupon the backguard can be pivoted forward. An integral extension 70 is provided for the slot 68 at the upper end to permit the pin 56 to move forward in slot 70 so that even if the appliance and backguard are installed, for example, in juxtaposed relation to a kitchen wall, swinging forward of the backguard can be accomplished. Thereafter, the necessary servicing can be performed easily as can be appreciated from viewing the backguard in the forwardly inclined service position in FIGURE 4.

In shipping or handling appliances, it is convenient to have the top thereof clear of projections. For example, a backguard extending approximately a foot above a range top presents diificulty in packaging by increasing the height substantially. Also, because the backguard is not strongly supported, reinforcing must be provided to assure that the appliance is not damaged in shipping. Accordingly, it it is a feature of the present invention that the backguard can be swung to a rear position wherein it is suspended in a juxtaposed orientation, generally parallel to the rear wall of the appliance cabinet. To this end the mounting thumb screws 40, 41 are removed and the backguard is lifted to a position where an end 71 0f the backguardcarried bracket 22 is permitted to swing by the rear upper corner of the appliance whereupon the backguard is turned substantially to a position where it hangs suspended from the bracket 24. The position of a vertical portion 68 of the slot 58 is spaced the distance a from the rear wall of the cabinet so that a portion of the backguard structure, including the bracket 22 extending rearwardly beyond pin 56, can fit between the pin 56 and the appliance rear wall.

It is clear from the foregoing description that the present invention provides an easily-manufacturable structure using a minimum of parts to provide solid support for an upwardly extending structure in an appliance, such as a background or the like. At the same time, the supporting structure permits the position of the backguard in a first position, pivoted forward in the illustrated range environment, which is convenient for servicing the structure enclosed within the backguard. At the same time, the supporting stnucture permits a complete reverse pivoting of the backguard to a position which clears or streamlines the top of the appliance cabinet so that the over-all height of the appliance is reduced. In this respect, appliances can be shipped in box cars, for example, taking up less vertical space. In one practical example, the overall height of the ranges was reduced sufficiently so that they could be stacked three-high in a standard box car instead of only two-high. At the same time, the backguard supporting structure maintains the backguard and ap pliance as one assembled unit. Thus, there is less opportunity for damage to the backguard.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a home appliance having a backguard of sufficient thickness to cover associated controls carried on a cabinet frame, the latter including at least a top surface and a side surface, the combination comprising a first member carried by the backguard, a second member carried by the frame, a first coupling means carried by one of said members, a second coupling means carried by the other of said members, said respective first and second coupling means interfit-ting to permit slidable and pivotal movement between said respective first and second members while remaining intact so that said backguard is not separated from said appliance during movement, said respective coupling means providing three support positions for the backguard, a normal upright position, a forward pivoted position and a rearward pivoted position, wherein the backguard having said thickness to cover controls hangs juxtaposed a side surface and means for selectively fastening said backguard in said normal upright position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first coupling means is a projection carried by one of said members and said second coupling means is an opening in said other member and means for maintaining said respective projection and other member joined while permitting relative sliding and pivotal movement between the backguard and the appliance cabinet.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said projection and opening interfit permitting the backguard to be pivoted from a first normal upright position to a second forward pivoted position exposing the rear of the backguard and to a third rearward pivoted position streamlining the top surface of the appliance.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said opening extends upwardly and forwardly to permit said backguard to be raised and pivoted forward while the appliance remains in place even if the backguard in said first normal upright position is against a wall or the like.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said upwardly extending portion of said opening is offset a predetermined distance away from the appliance to permit said References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,051,776 1/1913 Stiles 126214 2,453,832 11/1948 Dadson 126214 2,554,083 5/1951 Berg 126214 2,649,531 8/1953 FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner. Woodburn 126-214 10 E. G. FAVORS, Assistant Examiner.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A HOME APPLIANCE HAVING A BACKGUARD OF SUFFICIENT THICKNESS TO COVER ASSOCIATED CONTROLS CARRIED ON A CABINET FRAME, THE LATTER INCLUDING AT LEAST A TOP SURFACE AND A SIDE SURFACE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A FIRST MEMBER CARRIED BY THE BACKGUARD, A SECOND MEMBER CARRIED BY THE FRAME, A FIRST COUPLING MEANS CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID MEMBERS, A SECOND COUPLING MEANS CARRIED BY THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS, SAID RESPECTIVE FIRST AND SECOND COUPLING MEANS INTERFITTING TO PERMIT SLIDABLE AND PIVOTAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID RESPECTIVE FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS WHILE REMAINING INTACT SO THAT SAID BACKGUARD IS NOT SEPARATED FROM SAID APPLIANCE DURING MOVEMENT, SAID RESPECTIVE COUPLING MEANS PROVIDING THREE SUPPORT POSITIONS FOR THE BACKGUARD, A NORMAL UPRIGHT POSITION, A FORWARD PIVOTED POSITION AND A REARWARD PIVOTED POSITION, WHEREIN THE BACKGUARD HAVING SAID THICKNESS TO COVER CONTROLS HANGS JUXTAPOSED A SIDE SURFACE AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY FASTENING SAID BACKGUARD IN SAID NORMAL UPRIGHT POSITION. 